- Screening period followed by stratification and randomization: Screening involves checking inclusion and exclusion criteria, ruling out secondary hypertension remediable by specific treatment, and obtaining informed written consent as outlined in the Helsinki declaration. Eligible patients will be stratified by centre and randomized in a one-to-three proportion to control or intervention. Randomization will be implemented by sequentially numbered sealed envelopes, which contain the group assignment. These envelopes will be available at the practices, so that no contact with the Studies Coordinating Centre (SCC) will be necessary to randomize the patient.